Rule



H. A. FARRAND.

RULE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 23, 1919.

Patented Jan. 3,1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. A. FARRAND.

RULE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 23, 1919.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

114-111,, III-VIIIIIIIIIIIII I 1/10" ivF-FFF. vililullli o lllatlrnrne UNIT-ED STATEs mailman...

;P IENT OFFICE.

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Toallwhomitnwycomem:

Be it known that I, HmAM A. FARRAND,

a citizen of the United States, residing in Merchantville, New Jersey, have invented Rules, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates .to measuring tape made-of metallic ribbon curved to have a concavo-convex cross section and sufliciently rather than the exterior of the coil.

It is further desired to provide a novel combination of tape and holder whereby the former may be so heldas-to be capable of automatically moving from its coiled to its straight condition when desired, the parts being so arranged as to provide braking means for stopping and holding the tape when any desired length thereof .has been delivered.

I also desire to provide a novel form of holder for a concave ribbon tape or rule H which will permit it to be "coiled up by the exertion of a force applied tangentially of the coil, the arrangement being such that the tape may be easily detached from the holder when this is desirable.

A further object. of the invention is to provide a form of flexible tape of a com-' posite structure which may be coiled and operated as above indicated and which shall include a flexible concave supporting body with a fabric or other coveralso of flexible nature upon which suitable graduations may be formed. 7

These objects and other advantageous ends I attain as hereinafter set. forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in

which, a.

Figs. land 2 are respectively a sideand a,

front elevation of a tape and one form of holder therefor constructed accordance with my invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation illustrating a -8peclflcation of Letters Patent. I l Application flled 0ctober 88, 1918. Seriallo. 882,884.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

slightly modified form of holder and tape I with the cover removed;

Fig. 5. is a transverse section on the line 5-5, Fig. 4, showing the eover in position; Fig. 6 is a transverse section similar to Fig.15 showing the tape in the position in which its pro ecting held from movement;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of .a modified form of my invention, illustrating one part is automatically method of detachably connecting the tape to the holder;

Fig. '8 is a horizontalsection of another modification of my invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating a portion of the tape'proper;

Fig. 10 is a (plan of another modification of my tape hol er;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section on the line 11- 1 1,' Fig. 10 .Fig. 12 is a plan of the brake plate of that form of holder shown in Fig. 10; and

Fi s. 13 and 14 are transverse sections on the lines 13-13 and-14-14,Fig.' 12.

In'Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of the abovedraw ings, 1 represents a coiled length of the tape forming part of my invention which, as

shown in Fig. 9, is transversely concave and graduated in any desired manner, preferably on its concave surface, to provide a scale of units of len th and sub-divisions thereof.

It is a peculiarity of such a tape, which is usually made of thin flexible steel ribbon, that when it is coiled its convolutions temporarily lose their 'concavo-convex section and flatten out, although they at all times tend toregain their original form as well as to uncoil in order that the tape as a whole may assume a straight condition.

In order to provide a suitable holder for such a tape when in the coiled condition, I preferably employ a cylindrical case in the formiof a shallow'box-rotatably mounted in a frame or holder '3 by means of a pivot spindle in the form of a bolt or rivet .4. This spindle extends centrally through the center of the single end or'head 5 with which the case 2 is provided, and the frame referably consists of -a length of relative y stiff strip material having its two ends extended parallel to each other on opposite sides of the casing end 5 and connected by the spindle 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the frame or holder strip extends radially outward from the centerv of the casing in a generally rectangular form so that it may be conveniently grasped by outer edge also enga tape coils from t e inside,

coil in the re ative the fingers of the user and it preferably has connected to the center of its outermost portion a. stud 7 with a ring 8 for attachment to a chain or other supporting or retaining element. a The casing 2 with the tape 1 coiled therein is thus rotatably carried by the holder frame 3 and it is to be articularly noted that said i. e., in withdraw- 2, its inner end 9 is it projects from the sition indicated in ow another form of the ta in ing it from the casing moved laterall until Fi 4 and 6 which 5 ho der, utilizing and sulpporting the same manner as is c aracteristic of igs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

When said tape is in this position lastindicated, its natural resiliency causes its lower or inner edge to frictionally engage a bridge-like portion of the holder frame at the point 10 and also to engage its next outer convolution at the point 11 while its frictionally engages the bridge portion of the holder frame at the point 12, with the result that it is revented by the friction points from moving out beyond any omt towhich it may be forcibly drawn. en it is desired to draw out a further length of said tape, its projecting end is bent inwardly toward the central spindle so that it aproaches the position indicated in dotted ines at a; (Figs. 4 and 6), with the result that its inner edge is freed from engagement with its next outer coil or convolution. .As a consequence the friction holding it from movement is so far reduced that it automatically uncoils, bodily projectin straight/extended end for any deslre d1stance until the pressure hol mg it in the dotted line position is relieved, whereupon'it returns to the osition shown in fulllines Figs. 4 and 5 with its inner edge frictionally its next outer coil in the casing and is held from further uncoiling. If desired, the projected portion of the tape may be held in its released position until it has so far rotated the casing that it is wholly delivered therefrom, after which it may be used in its straight condition as a rule, its concave convex structure and its dimensions being such that when so extended and straightened, it possesses suflicient tructural strength to prevent it from buckling.

When it is desired to return the ta to its holder, one of its ends is introduced into the rotatable casin 2 where it is held by reason of its frictiona engaglekment with the cylindrical wall thereof. ereafter as the proi'ecting art of the tape is forced to move ongitu mally toward the casing while this remains free to rotate by reason of the user gras ing the frame 3, said casing is turned on t e spi dle 4 and the tape is coiled from without inwardly. In so coiling the tape it exerted at these t ree lengths may be coiled up. The end of the tape is finally moved from the laterally'projectmg position to a position in which it lies parallel with and immediately adjacent to the other convolutions within the casing, and between the planes of its two faces.

In that form of the invention shown in Fi 4 to 6 inclusive I have mounted the coi -containing casing 2 within a second casing 13 which is practically a closed extension of the holder frame 3 of Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and in this instance provide a hinged cover 14 for the outer casing whereby the tape and its container may be comp etely enclosed. With such an arrangement of parts I provide a bridge strip 15 extending between ogposite portions of the holder casing 13 and nt inwardly for engagement with the inner end of the spindle 4, althou h this operates in the same manner as does the bridge portion of the holder frame 3, to

serve as a brake and retainer for the tape, whereb an desired length thereof may be releasa ly eld in its projected position while the remainder of its length is coiled in the casing.

The ability to detach the concavo-convex tape from its reel or containing casing is one of the useful features of my invention and in case said reel has the form indicated in Fig. 7 said tape may be constructed to retain this feature. In this modification a. flat cylindrical casing is provided with a central spindle 17 carrying a drum 18 whichmay be turned by a handle 19. The convex tape in this instance would be provided at its inner end with a hook 20 designed to removably engage a pin 21 extending transversely between the flat faces of said casing 16, so that while it may be wound up in the manner hitherto common in the art by turning the handle 19, when its complete length has been drawn out, it may be easily detached from said drum for use independently of the casing. After such use its book end 2!; may be reintroduced through the side 0 ening 22 of the casing 16 and again engage with the transverse pin 21, w ereupon it may be drawn into the casing by the rotation of said pin and drum by the handle 19.

In those forms of theinvention hitherto described I may etch or engrave t o desired graduations upon either or both faces of the metallic ribbon constituting the tape, or as shown in Figs. 3 and 10, may employ such a ribbon with a coverin of fabric or other suitable material on which the graduations rig. 8, I' m cause the tapeto be wund up forcin it'toward its casing'or holder as: m those orms ofthe invention shown in Figsul to. 6, and for. thispurpose .I amploy a rectangular, frame wsupporting a pairof parallel. spindles Bland 32. These ave fixed to them a pair. of coacting; gear wheels 33. and 34 and each, likewise has mounted on it a drum, of. which that indicated at 35 on the spindle 31 has wound on it a fabric, metal or other; flexible strip or ribbon 36. The drum 37 on the other spindle has one end Of'flliS strip' perma-f nently fixed to it .at 38-and when it .is desired to wind" the tape .on this latter drum,

one end thereof is inserted between it and the strip 36 at the point where the latter is tangent thereto. If the tapeFl be then forced longitudinally toward the drum 37 the lat-'- winding up of the strip 36.

In that form of my invention shown in 1hligs. 11 to 14 inclusive the tape reel or der consists of a fiat cylindrical casing,

'40 which as before is closed at one side or end and is inwardlyflanged at the opposite end. Extending into. this 0 enend is a bridge 41, which while of en stantially-U- shaped outline as to its main portion has the ends of its arms bent outwardly and then back parallel with each other so as to fitinto the casing 40 which they engage.

at opposite sides and to which they are rigidl fastened.

he middle of the inwardly extending portion of the bridge 41 carries a journal or .pivot 43 having the form of a sleeve for the reception of a lon itudinally slidable pressure button 44. his has a head on one end and'its opposite end is riveted. or otherwise fixed to the center of a spring brake plate 45 mounted between the closed end of the casing 40 and the inner or closed end of a second casing 46 mounted {on the.

journal 43 so as to be free to turn concen; trically within the casing 40.

'stantially circular centrally dished body of spring sheet metal having slots extending inwardly from its edge in such positions as to provide two seriesof alternately arranged ton nos 47 and 48. The latter of theseare pre erably deflected to one side of the plane of the plate and have their edges. slightly curved so as to bear upon the inner face of.

the cloSedend ofthe outer casing 40, while the tongues 47 project so as to bear upon the adjacent outer; face of theclosed end ofthe inner casing .46,the central part of the brake plate being oncaved orslightly dishedto accommodate the projecting end.

of the journal43. p

The spring tape above. described. may be coiled..within-th e inner casin of the reel as described in connection withgthe, other asto remove the arms or tongu s" 47 of the brake plate from frictional engagement with the bottom of the casing 46, in order that this I may, be free to turn on or withthe journal 43. When it is desired torelease the tape,

.70 forms of my-invention, although in this case it is necessary to.- depress the button' 44 so its inner end is moved laterally with rev plate and the casing .46 so that it may automatically assume its straight form as previously described.

At any desired point the rejection of the tape may be stopped by a re ease of the pressure on the button44 whereupon the brake plate 45 frictionally engages the casing 46 'to preventits furtherrotationand I preferably adjustthe pressure of said plate upon the rotatable casing 46 so that as long as the tape is being fed or forced into the latter, it, a

will be free to turn regardless of the actionof the brake plate.- When however this force tending to coil the tape is released or removed, the. brake plate 45 will automatically act to prevent projection of thetape. It will further-be ,noted that the inner casing 46 has its open end provided with an inwardly extendedgflange' '49 serving to prevent lateral displacement of the convolutions of the tape as Well as of the outer end of'said tape during the reeling up operation.

I claim: a

l. Thecombination of a holder and; a flexible rule coiled therein with its inner end free. and accessible for withdrawal; with means for guiding the inner end of therulc while it is being withdrawn from the holder.

2. The combination of a holder; a flexible rule coiled therein with its inner end free and accessible for Withdrawal; and a struca ture rotatably supportingsaid holder; and The brake plate' 45 is formed of a sub- 4 accessible for withdrawal, said rule being formed to automatically project itself from the holder when its inner end is moved laterally out of the plane of thecoil with means for retaining said free end in a predetermined position when it isprojected laterally from' the plane of the coi 4. The combination of a holder; and a flexible :rule. coiled therein with its inner end accessible for withdrawal, said rule be- .stantiall strai ht line %ly of the plane of the. coil in formed to automaticall rotate the ho der andproject itself there cm in a subwhen its inner end is move latera into a redetermined position. 1

5. T e combination of a flexible rule of concavo-convex cross section; with a holder normally retainin said rule in a coiled condition and forme .to'pcrmit uncoiling of the rule from its inner end; with means for Mini; the inner end while it is being uncoiled from the holder.

6. The combinationofaflexible rule having a free inner end; with aholder normally retaining the same in. a coiled conditlon and open at one side to permlt of uncoilmg said rule from its inner end; with means for guiding the inner end while it 1s being un coiled from the holder.

7. The combination of a flexible rule;

means for retaining said rule in a coiled condition while permittin its inner end to be laterally projected;an a device for fr1 tionally holding the-inner portion of said rule from movement when it is pro ected laterally at one side of its coiled ortion.

8. The combination of a flexible rule; with a device for retaining it in a coiled condition and including a portion formed to frictionally engage the rule when a part thereof projects laterally from the plane of its coil.

9. The combination of a supportin structure; a casing rotatably mounted t ereon; and a flexible tape of concavo-convex section coiled in said casin with its inner end free tobe moved latera y out of the plane of its coil to permit of its withdrawal.

10. The combination of a supportin structure; a casing rotatably mounted t ereon; and a flexible ta e of concavo-convex section coiled in sai casing with its inner end free to be moved laterally out of the plane of its coil to permit of its withdrawal, said structure including a portion placedtoengage and normally hold said inner end of -'the to. e from ,movement when it is projected aterallyfrom said plane.

11. The combination ofa supporting structure; a casing rotatably'mounted thereon; and a flexible tape of concave-convex section coiled in said casing with its inner end free to be moved laterally out of the plane of its coil to permit of its withdrawal, said structure being formed to normally guide the laterally projecting end of the tape into a position in which it is normally engaged at a plurality of points with friction sufficient to prevent its further movement.

its coil to permit 0 12. The combination of a supporting struc V ture; a casing-rotatably-mounted thereon;

and a flexible tape of concave-convex section coiled in said casin with'itsinner end to be moved latera I. out of theplane of its withdrawal, said supporting structure extending across the 0011 in position to be engaged y the'o when one of said dges site edges of the ta e engages part'of t e coil to normally prevent movement of the projecting inner end.

13. The combination of a flexible ribbon rule of concave-convex cross section and sufiicient stifiness to maintain itself in a substantially straight form; with a,holder for maintaini said rule in a coiled condition and. form to allow it to be coiled anduncoiled from its inner end, the rule beingcompletely detachable from said holder when in its fully projected condition.

14. The combination of. a concavo-convex rule of flexible ribbon of sufiicient strength to. maintain itself in a straight conditiona casing formed to hold said rule in a coiled condition with its inner end in position to be laterally displaced from the plane of the coil for removal or insertion; with a holder rotatably supporting said casing and including a bridge portion extending over the coil in positlon to be frictional y engaged by the end of the ribbon when this is displaced laterally from the coil.

1 5. A holder for a spring tape consisting of a supporting structure; witha casing rotatalbly mounted on said structure and formed to retain said tape in a coil with its inner end 'accessiblefor lateral withdrawal.

16. A holder for a spring tape consisting of a sltiepporting structure; a ,casmgrotatably moun on said structure and formed to retain the tape in a coil with its inner end accessible .for lateral withdrawal; with means for engagingand holding said end from movement whenit is displaced laterally from the plane of the coil.

17. The combination of a supporting structure; a substantially cylindrical casing mounted thereon and having at least one end ope'nywith a bridge piece mounted on the structure and extending across the easmg in positlon to engage the laterally displaced portionof a spring tape carried by In w tness whereof I afiix my signatpre,

' HIRAM A. FARRAND. 

